Vloggers invited to House anew as tri-comm sets next fake news hearing

House of Representatives (Ellson Quismorio/ MANILA BULLETIN)

Will there be more apologies and tears from vloggers when the House tri-committee (tri-comm) resumes its inquiry on the proliferation of fake news online?

This remains to be seen as vloggers, social media influencers, and other online personalities have been invited to attend the next scheduled hearing of the three-way panel on Tuesday, April 8.

Tri-comm overall chairman, Santa Rosa lone district Rep. Dan Fernandez disclosed on Sunday, April 6, that Jose “Jay” Yumang Sonza, Krizette Laureta Chu, Mark Lopez, Mary Jane Quiambao Reyes, and former press secretary lawyer Rose Beatrix “Trixie” Cruz-Angeles were among those asked to appear in the proceedings. 

Chu, Reyes, and Lopez previously gave tearful apologies to lawmakers during the March 21 tri-comm hearing for their alleged misleading and unverified posts on social media.

Other invited resource persons include Elizabeth Joie Cruz (Joie De Vivre), Dr. Ethel Pineda Garcia, Alvin Curay, Ma. Khristine Claud Curay, Epifanio Labrador, Manuel Mata Jr. (Kokolokoy), Dr. Richard Tesoro Mata (Dr. Richard and Erika Mata), George Ahmed Paglinawan (Luminous by Trixie & Ahmed), Aeron Peña (Old School Pinoy), Ramon Gerardo B. San Luis and Elijah San Fernando (Eli).

In addition to these names, the joint panel subpoenaed 24 vloggers and influencers to testify at the upcoming April 8 hearing. 

Abang Lingkod Party-list Rep. Joseph Stephen “Caraps” Paduano, a co-chairman of the tri-comm, earlier warned that the 24 individuals who were issued subpoenas could face contempt citations and detention if they fail to appear again.

The 24 subpoenaed individuals are Ernesto S. Abines Jr., Lorraine Marie Tablang Badoy-Partosa, Suzanne Batalla, Mary Catherine Binag, Jeffrey Almendras Celiz, Atty. Glenn Chong, Claire Eden Contreras, Lord Byron Cristobal, Jeffrey G. Cruz, Alex Destor, Ma. Florinda Espenilla-Duque, Claro Ganac, Edwin Jamora, Elmer Jugalbot, Julius Melanosi Maui, Joe Smith Medina, Alven L. Montero, Jonathan Morales, Cyrus Preglo, Vivian Zapata Rodriguez, Darwin Salceda, Allan Troy “Sass” Rogando Sasot, Maricar Serrano and Kester Ramon John Balibalos Tan.

The tri-comm is composed of the Committees on Public Order and Safety, Information and Communications Technology and Public Information. 

These panels seek to determine the accountability of some content creators and social media influencers for peddling fake news and the platforms’ response to the spread of coordinated disinformation.

Lawmakers have voiced concern over reports that some vloggers use their content allegedly to mislead the public and attack political critics. The hearings intend to uncover whether these acts are part of an organized campaign and how they are being financed.

Representatives from social media platforms such as Meta (Facebook), TikTok and Google are also expected to appear before the committee to answer questions about their content moderation systems and cooperation with government efforts against fake news.

Officials from the Department of Information and Communications Technology, Department of Justice, Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center, National Bureau of Investigation, Philippine National Police, Bureau of Internal Revenue and Anti-Money Laundering Council were invited to attend the investigation.